Task force urges stronger courthouse security as judges, sheriffs report staffing shortfalls and rising threats

A county task force on courthouse security urged Montgomery County officials on multiple changes to courtroom safety practices and infrastructure, including minimum court security staffing, secure judicial parking and hardened public areas, at a Public Safety Committee briefing. The panel’s recommendations were presented to the committee by council staff and discussed with judges, the sheriff and court security managers.

The task force recommended at least one court security officer (CSO) present in any courtroom while proceedings are held, a second CSO for specified higher‑risk proceedings and an additional roving CSO on each floor that contains one or more courtrooms or judicial chambers. The task force also recommended that new or expanded courthouses include secure, attached underground parking for judicial officers and that jurisdictions without secure parking work with the Administrative Office of the Courts on interim measures such as gated enclosures, quick‑lift gates, video intercoms and escort procedures. The panel proposed a state mandate for personnel standards supported by transitional state funding and two separate non‑lapsing state funds to cover one‑time costs for secure public spaces and secure parking over a five‑year period.

The recommendations were presented alongside county staff analysis showing emergency courthouse calls for service rose each year from 2021 through 2024. At the briefing,…